The veteran centre-back was on target for France in Saturday's 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Faroe Islands, which secured a place in the play-offs, as he added to his three goals for the Gunners.

It has certainly been quite a transformation for the former Chelsea man, who this time last year was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy after publicly questioning the mentality of Wenger's young squad.

To his credit, Gallas has returned stronger for the whole experience and is now one of Arsenal's most consistent performers, and has quickly struck up an impressive partnership with £10million summer-signing Thomas Vermaelen following the sale of Kolo Toure to Manchester City.

"William Gallas has had a fine start to the season, which is down to both his attitude and the quality of the player," said Wenger.

"It can happen that any player has highs and lows in his career, but I must say his form now is a consequence of the way he behaves every day.

"He behaves 100% as a professional and is highly focused in training."

Wenger indicated he will look to discus a new deal for Gallas, 32, at the end of the year as from January the defender will be free to talk to other clubs.

The Arsenal manager has been impressed with the way Gallas and Vermaelen have developed an understanding in such a short space of time.

"The partnership between William and Thomas Vermaelen has gelled more quickly than I expected," the Arsenal boss said.

"This is for two reasons; first of all, Vermaelen adapted faster, and secondly William fits more comfortably on the right side of a central defence than on the left."

Almost all of the Arsenal first-team squad have been away on international duty.

When the jet-setting players return, Wenger will be hoping there are no fresh additions to what was becoming a quiet treatment room.

However, Croatia striker Eduardo sat out the friendly win over Qatar because of a thigh injury, while Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas was given special dispensation to leave the Spain squad after their win in Armenia to return home to deal with a serious family matter.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, not yet called up to the Spanish squad, is expected to return from a chest infection for the resumption of Barclays Premier League action against Birmingham on October 17.

Poland international Lukas Fabianski has been sidelined so far this season by a knee problem which needed surgery, but will find Vito Mannone perhaps now ahead of him in the pecking order when he is fully match fit again after the young Italian impressed during Almunia's absence.

Winger Samir Nasri is also on the comeback trail following his broken leg during pre-season.